132 CORRESPONDENCE ETC.

25. WEST TO GRAY.

Temple, Sep. 28. 1739.

If wishes could turn to realities, I would fling-
down my law books, and sup with you to-night:
But, alas! here I am doomed to fix, while you are
fluttering from city to city, and enjoying all the
pleasures which a gay climate can afford. It is out
of the power of my heart to envy your good fortune,
yet I cannot help indulging a few natural desires; as
for example, to take a walk with you on the banks of
the Ehdne, and to be climbing up mount Fourviere;

lam mens praetrepldans avet vagari:
lam laeti studio pedes vigescunt.

However, so long as I am not deprived of your
correspondence, so long shall I always find some
pleasure in being at home. And, setting all vain
curiosity aside, when the fit is over, and my reason
begins to come to herself, I have several other power-
ful motives which might easily cure me of rny restless
inclinations. Amongst these, my mother's ill state
of health is not the least, which was th& reason of
our going to Tunbridge; so that you cannot expect
much description or amusement from thence. Nor
indeed is there much room for either; for all diver-
sions there may be reduced to two articles, gamings that you shall not know